If Kiev files a lawsuit concerning the alleged violations of the Convention on the Law of the Sea by the Russian side, Moscow will use a full array of legal tools to protect its interests

MOSCOW, September 13. /TASS/. Moscow will use a full array of legal tools to protect its interests, if Ukraine files lawsuits against Russia in international courts, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday, commenting on Kiev’s plans to start a legal battle with Russia over Crimea in terms of maritime law.

According to Peskov, if a lawsuit is filed, there will be legal counteractions from Moscow. "Of course, Russia will use all range of international law tools to counter these lawsuits and protect its interests," the Kremlin spokesman said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin earlier said that Kiev would file a lawsuit against Moscow this week concerning the alleged violations of the Convention on the Law of the Sea by the Russian side. The minister stated that this is "a comprehensive lawsuit," providing no details.

In January, Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko declared that Kiev would file a number of lawsuits against Russia in international courts over Crimea.

Crimea and the city of Sevastopol adopted declarations of independence on March 11, 2014. They held a referendum on March 16, 2014, in which 96.77% of Crimeans and 95.6% of Sevastopol voters chose to secede from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the reunification deals March 18, 2014.

Despite the absolutely convincing results of the referendum, Ukraine refused to recognize Crimea as part of Russia.